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Fischer Co-Sponsors Privacy Protection Bill

December 8, 2020 4:09PM CST
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Fischer Co-Sponsors Privacy Protection Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — December 8, 2020 — U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced legislation to advance emerging data privacy technologies.  Their goal is to enable the economic benefits of data analysis while protecting Americans’ personal data – using mathematical techniques that obscure or anonymize identifying information. The Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act would require the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote research into privacy-enhancing technologies (PET) and direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop resources for the integration of PETs into public and private sector data use.

“Our country relies on large-scale data analysis in everything from agriculture to transportation to pandemic response. While these datasets are critically important, it must be collected in ways that protect Americans’ privacy. This bipartisan legislation will help keep Americans’ personal information secure,” said Senator Fischer.

 More information:

The Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act would:

  • Require the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research into PETs, including:

o   Fundamental research on PET technologies.

o   Fundamental research into the mathematics that underlie PETs.

o   Fundamental research into technologies that promote data minimization principles.

  • Facilitate research in coordination with other relevant agencies.
  • Integrate this mission with the NSF’s Computer and Network Security Program.
  • Require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to work with the academic, public, and private sectors to develop resources for the integration of PET into business and governmental applications, including working with NIH and CDC to increase responsible public health research.

Senator Fischer and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) co-sponsored the DETOUR Act last year.  It would protect consumers from manipulative online user interfaces known as “dark patterns.” She also joined several other Commerce Committee members to co-sponsor legislation providing Americans with more transparency over the collection and use of their personal data.

The Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies bill has been endorsed by Microsoft. Full text of the legislation is available at https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/4df1ab49-fa44-4ea6-86db-16611e1a48d1/ccm-fischer-final-pet-text.pdf

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